Some of you have been asking me why I have not worked on the forum whodunnit story in the last couple days. To answer your questions, A. I have been busy, and B. one of the ghosts from my past has returned to haunt me. Literally.

When I was in high school, I had a brief crush on a girl, went to several classes with her, etc. She didn't reciprocate so not much ever came of it, but I had fond memories of her. Fast forward 2 years. I'm in college now, down in Arizona, when I see on the news, Katie (her first name, if you are truly curious you can probably look up the story) then Portland State University student, was found murdered in her appartment. No suspects, no arrests, nothing.

Now fast forward another 2 years. An arrest is made. turns out it was some turkish ******** that fled the country after the murder, and they have been waiting for him to come back ever since. It looks like they have enough evidence to fry him, which is all well and good in my oppinion. I'd shoot him myself if they would let me.

I'm finding that this is affecting me more than I would have immagined. being an intelligence analyst, I know how ****** up the turkish culture is, but still I find myself feeling something close to hatred and lotheing for the entire country right now. Intellectually I know that they are not all bad, and that there are probably some very nice, well adusted turkish people out there, but I find myself wanting to ignore that entirely.

The whole sitation is just strange. I don't know what to think anymore.

That's really awful. I'm glad they figured out who did it. Is he back in the country now, or are they still waiting on him? Can't they force him to come back? I thought they did that sort of thing...?

Your feelings are completely normal. Someone you cared about was murdered, of course you are angry. At least you have an object for it, instead of just feeling all that directed at nothing (which can be very destructive and hurtful).

=( Wish I could help. I hate seeing people hurt. Especially good people like you.

Is he back in the country now, or are they still waiting on him? Can't they force him to come back? I thought they did that sort of thing...?

Thank you, all of you. It really does help.

To answer Angua's question, They apperently figured out that he did it just after he left, but since he ended up in Turkey, where chances of getting an extradition for a murder are virtually 0, they decided to try the wait and see tactic, and see if he would return to the U.S. figureing the heat was off of him. The police didn't release any information for 2 years. They didn't even tell the family they had a suspect (which sounds cruel, but I'm guessing the family would rather have not known for 2 years and had him caught, then had to have lived with the knowledge that the ******* got away with it and that they couldn't do anything about it.) When the guy finally decided to come back, they were waiting for him at the airport.

I'm sorry, Kao. Perhaps a short note to the family would make you feel better? I think part of it is the fact that this person has been reduced to what her death was, but they might appreciate a "Hey, I knew her, and I thought she was a wonderful person." Don't let this become your dominant memory of her.

/hug

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That's the kind of dude I was lookin' for And yes you'll get slapped if you're lookin', ho

Great idea, Flea. I know from personal experience that when a child dies, the parents really appreciate someone remembering them. When my best friend died (many years ago) I stayed in fairly close contact with her mother. She was very sad when the rest of Ann's friends started to fade away, and she told me "I guess just you and me remember her". I think they would like to know that someone out there remembers and cares about their daughter.

Also, it would give you someone to share your feelings with that is feeling them too, Kao.

I don't know if this will help, but I wrote a heart felt poem that may make you feel better in the "Katie..." Thread. Although I was slandered for it, I really wrote it for everyone who feels down and in pain.

I know how you feel man. I've been there too. The "What if" is going to try to take over, but just overpower it with the "what was" and remember only the good things, and be to help those in pain.